ENGLAND'S brightest children are two years behind the best pupils in places such as Hong Kong and Taiwan in maths at the age of 16.

British children are two years behind the best pupils in places such as Hong Kong and Taiwan

The cleverest pupils keep up with their Asian peers until the age of 10 but then fall behind, the study by the Institute of Education, University of London, found.

Researchers analysed two international studies and found that England's most able pupils make less progress than those of similar abilities in 12 countries, which also included Slovenia, Lithuania, Australia, the US, Norway and Russia.

Ministers raised concerns after England slipped down international rankings in 2009, coming 28th in the Programme for International Student Asssessment tests.

The report says that policymakers should reform maths in preschool and primary years and ensure the brightest are stretched in secondary school.

Education Minister Elizabeth Truss said the report was a "damning indictment of Labour's record on education".